MADISON -- An Illinois congressman who says he's a member of the Wisconsin National Guard is ripping Gov. Tony Evers for pulling troops off the nation's southern border.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker sent troops to Arizona in June. Evers, a Democrat, pulled them back with an executive order Monday.
I’m grateful to my fellow Wisconsin Guard members, and I’m deeply disappointed you won’t let them do what they are trained to do for the good of the country. @GovEvers, I hope you’ll reconsider.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) February 25, 2019
Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who represents Illinois' 16th Congressional District, tweeted Monday that he's a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. He blasted Evers for withdrawing state troops, saying stopping illegal immigration is honorable. He asked Evers if his decision was political and to reconsider.
A Wisconsin National Guard spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to an email seeking to confirm that Kinzinger is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. A Kinzinger spokeswoman also didn't immediately respond to an email.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is ordering the state's National Guard troops to withdraw from the nation's southern border and return home.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker ordered troops to Arizona in June to assist with administrative duties along the border. Evers, a Democratic, issued an executive order on Monday ordering them to withdraw.
.@GovEvers, your guardsmen saved many lives and protected our country on this mission. Did you go visit them on the border to see for yourself? Or did you make your decision based solely on politics?
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) February 25, 2019
Evers said in a news release announcing the order that about 112 troops are currently serving in Arizona. He said in the release that keeping the borders safe and protecting immigrants seeking asylum is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol's job and there's not enough evidence to support Republican President Donald Trump's declaration that a national emergency exists along the border.
He says there's no justification for Wisconsin National Guard troops to remain at the border.
